Newer Resources, Greater Energy

Over the years, technology and resources have been explored
as well as discovered. China has been experimenting new techniques to help
boost energy production. Recently, they have been medaling around with combustible
ice, a natural gas hydrate. Combustible ice acts as a cage-like lattice of ice
with methane that is trapped on the inside, the natural element in gas. These ice
crystals are high flammable and once it is melted, it turns into natural gas. Because
of the low temperature and high pressure, combustible ice can be found in the
tundra or sea beds. Although, this event is not the first time it has been experimented
with. Japan was the first that experimented with methane extraction, but
methane hydrate was discovered in the Soviet Union during 1963. This is the
first time it has been extracted in the South China Sea. Many are more focused
on the technology of how this mineral was extracted.

For over two decades, China has been exploring the different
techniques to successfully extract combustible ice. Located in South China Sea,
southeast of Zhuhai, a group of workers were able to fully extract a sample of
the ice that produced about 8,350 cubic meters of gas. Combustible ice was
declared the 173rd mineral for the country that will potentially be
the next resource for energy. One cubic meter of combustible ice is roughly
equal to 164 cubic meters of natural gas. It has been predicted that this
natural gas hydrate may be the best replacement for oil and natural gas. During
the drilling and production process last month, China International Containers
Group and China National Petroleum Corp. have established that they have
provided a solid foundation that could be used for possible commercial use
before the year 2030.

Extracting combustible ice is not a simple nor cheap
process. In fact, it is very expensive. Countries that also share the South
China Sea may also catch onto the idea and start exploring the mineral, rising
competition. Not only that, countries with competing maritime claims may go
against China for exploiting the new resource in their economic zone but also
complaining when others explore for fossil fuel in their zones.

With China working towards reducing their overall pollution,
this may be the solution. Combustible ice emits less pollution compared to
other energy sources. Along with solar energy on the rise in this country, this
may be a large stepping stone in the right direction.